IERNA's Heating & Cooling Blog : Archive for the ‘Generators’ Category

Why Use a Whole-House Generator?

Monday, October 19th, 2015

If you value the safety, convenience, and comfort in your home that reliable access to electricity makes possible, then you are wise to consider the installation of a whole-house generator in Tampa, FL. While the most intense heat of the summer season may be behind us, taking the biggest threat of hurricanes with it, heavy rains are always possible, along with other elemental extremes. From high winds to a deluge of rainwater, there are a lot of potential causes of power outages in this area. Using a whole-home generator is the best way in which to ensure that you have access to the electricity that you need to go about your business as usual, or at least close to it. Contact IERNA’s Heating & Cooling to get started.

Tags: Generators, Tampa
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How to Tell You Need Generator Repair

Monday, July 28th, 2014

Generators pose an interesting challenge when it comes to repairs. With most important appliances for your home, you use them on a regular basis. But with a generator, you hope that you don’t have to use it regularly. In fact, you hope that you don’t have to use it all. Its main purpose most of its lifespan is to provide you with the assurance that should your home encounter a long-term power loss, you will have a backup to keep your essential services working to protect you and your family.

And because the generator rarely needs to work, it can be difficult to tell if it requires repairs. It’s vital to know if there is a malfunction, because you don’t want to find yourself stuck in a power outage with a generator that won’t turn on. But there are some ways to tell that a generator needs preventive repairs. Contact Ierna’s Heating & Cooling whenever you think you need generator repair in Riverview, FL. We can deliver same-day emergency service.

Here’s ways to tell you need generator repairs done

Through regular maintenance: The best way to make sure a generator is ready to do its job when the time comes is to have it receive regular maintenance from professionals. In general, you should have maintenance done twice a year, before storm season and soon afterwards. A maintenance technician will run tests of the system to see if there are faulty connections, stale fuel, or fuel supply problems. The check after the storm season will make sure that the unit hasn’t sustained damage. Maintenance will also keep the engine lubricated and handle oil changes, which are essential for a properly operating generator.
Running tests on your own: Every few months, turn your generator on for a short time. Make sure that it starts quickly without encountering trouble (starting problems often indicate the fuel supply is going stale and needs re-filling) and is able to provide the power levels you need. Listen for any odd noises from the unit that could indicate wear and tear. If anything seems amiss, call for professionals right away.
The unit sustains damage: Make a visual check on the generator occasionally to see that it hasn’t sustained any physical damage from weather conditions or human interference. It’s a good idea to make one of these visual checks (as well as perform a test run) after any major storm—even if you didn’t experience a power outage.

We cannot emphasize enough the importance of regular generator maintenance. It is easy to let a generator slip from your thoughts during a long period of serene weather, but storms and power outages can strike suddenly, and you don’t want to discover you require repair work right when you need the generator the most.

Call up Ierna’s Heating & Cooling to arrange for maintenance today so you can have any necessary generator repair in Riverview, FL done in time for storm season.

Tags: Generator Repair, Riverview
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Generator Sizing Guide

Monday, February 3rd, 2014

A generator is an ideal way to keep your home up and functioning in the midst of a disaster. In Florida towns like Land O’ Lakes, generators provide needed heat and electricity when hurricanes knock the power out. You can have a whole-house generator installed by a trained professional before the next hurricane season arrives, providing an extra layer of protection for you and your family. Before that happens, however, you need a professional to properly size your generator to match the needs of your household. That way, you can make sure it meets all of your needs when a crisis hits. Here’s a quick generator sizing guide.

In the first case, you need to prioritize your appliances and determine which ones are of the highest priority. That way, if your generator is a smaller unit, you know what it can support safely, and keep non-essential appliances turned off. The refrigerator is usually the top priority, since it helps you store food safely. A fridge requires 1500-1700 watts to start up on average and consumes about 200 watts as it runs. Furnaces and HVAC systems use about the same amount starting up, with a running wattage of about 600 watts. Lights tend to use about 50-75 watts each while running, while a television consumes anywhere from 500-1000 watts depending on the size. A microwave oven will consume about 1500 watts while it’s running. The owner’s manual for most of your appliances will tell you what kind of wattage they require for different stages of operation. Try to prioritize things you really need, such as heating systems and sump pumps, rather than luxury items like your computer.

Once you have a sense of your power needs, you and your contractor can size your generator accordingly. Ideally, your generator should be able to run your whole house without a problem, though if you need to look at smaller systems due to cost consideration, your prioritizing will help you determine what the generator can support. Generally speaking, you should multiply the generator’s listed horsepower by 932 to get a sense of how many watts it can comfortably support.

For more information on generator sizing or to schedule an installation, contact Ierna’s Heating & Cooling. We’ll help you find the right sized generator for your Land O’ Lakes home. Pick up the phone and call us today!

Tags: Generators, Land O Lakes
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Should You Install a New Generator Before the Next Hurricane Season?

Monday, December 30th, 2013

Now that it’s December in Florida, we’ve moved out of the regular hurricane season. It’s always a relief to emerge from hurricane season without any troubles, but you should still give some thought during this quieter time toward making preparations for next June. One of the best ways to keep you and your family ready for a hurricane (as well as other natural disasters) is to install a whole-house generator.

Ierna’s Heating & Cooling has many years of experience installing generators in Lutz, FL. We know about the problems people can experience with power outages because of extreme weather, and we can find the right sizes whole-house generator that will suit your needs. Call us today.

Installing a new generator is a smart idea

Although your house may escape serious damage during a hurricane, tropical storm, or cyclone, the chances are high during any of these extreme weather conditions that the power will go out and remain out for hours if not days. Even a small thunderstorm can trigger a blackout. This can become very inconvenient and uncomfortable: it means a loss of heating and air conditioning, lights, and power to important appliances such as the refrigerator.

An automatic whole-house generator will switch on the moment your power goes out without you needing to leave your home to activate it. Most generators run on gas power and can last for days supplying you with the amount of power you need to keep your daily necessities working. (When you have a generator put in, the installers will go over with you how much power you need and which appliances are the most important to keep running.)

Act before the weather does!

If you don’t currently have a whole-house generator, we strongly urge you to consider installing one. If you have people in your house who depend on powered medical equipment, you should definitely put generator installation high on your priority list.

Contact Ierna’s Heating & Cooling for help with generators in Lutz, FL. We’ll assist you with installation, as well as deciding if you should replace your older unit.

Tags: Generators
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Greatest Benefits of Generators in New Port Richey

Monday, September 30th, 2013

Like a lot of cities on the Gulf Coast, New Port Richey sees its share of heavy storms, and our generators need to be as tough and reliable as the people here when the rains start to fall. You may be considering the addition of a whole house generator to provide power to your home in the event the city’s electrical grid goes down. There are numerous reasons to do so; the greatest benefits of generators in New Port Richey can be found below.

Self-sufficiency. Perhaps the greatest benefit to a power generator is that it lets you keep your home warm and lit in the event of an emergency. You have no control over the weather and civic power grids may go down due to forces beyond anyone’s ability to anticipate. But if you have a whole house generator installed, you can keep the lights on and refrigerator running no matter what the weather is outside.
Ease of use. Generators often require professional installation: experts can provide proper spacing and ventilation as well as ensuring that the generator itself is secured in place. Once it’s set up, however, it’s very easy to operate and refuel, letting you run it with very little instruction. Generators are also fairly easy to maintain in the off-season, making sure it’s ready to go when the time comes.
Safety. The security of a generator means that you won’t be forced to go outside when the weather turns bad. Obviously, you need to stock up on food and other supplies in anticipation of a big storm. But the generator ensure that the food with stay properly refrigerated and that you have the power to heat it up properly, That means not having to go out in the middle of the storm, which makes both you and your family a lot safer.

You can further appreciate the greatest benefits of generators in New Port Richey by speaking to the experts at Ierna’s Heating & Cooling. We can talk about your options with you, then set up an installation plan to get your new generator up and running quickly. New Port Richley generators aren’t just a luxury. Call us today and let us help you set one up!

Tags: Generators, New Port Richey
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The Importance of Generator Maintenance in Land O’ Lakes

Monday, January 21st, 2013

Most people understand that regular oil changes and tune-ups for their car is a great way to avoid costly repairs. The same principle is true for other equipment that you own: including your generator. If you have a whole house generator, you want to make sure that when you need that it’s going to work. But if you don’t pay attention to it, it may not work when you need it to. At Ierna’s Heating & Cooling, we offer complete generator maintenance in Land O’ Lakes. No matter what kind of generator you have, our skilled technicians can work on it and make sure that it is performing the way that it should.

Greater Reliability

Most of the time, we don’t need to run our generators to power our homes. It’s only during an emergency that we need them. When that time comes, you want to have confidence that your generator is going to work. When you have a professional inspecting and testing your generator on a regular basis, you’ll know that your generator is ready to go.

Greater Efficiency

During times of difficulty, you want to conserve as much fuel as possible. You don’t want your generator eating it up because it’s running inefficiently. With regular maintenance, one of our Land O’ Lakes generator technicians can find any inconsistencies that might cause your generator to run poorly. This way, your generator will use only the minimum amount of fuel necessary to work.

Reduced Repairs

Often times, large problems start out as small, unnoticeable issues. But when you have trained experts inspecting your generator regularly, they’ll be able to spot small problems before they turn into costly repairs. Not only does this keep you from having to repair your generator as much, it can also potentially increase the lifespan of your equipment.

If you need any kind of generator maintenance or repair in Land O’ Lakes, call the experts at Ierna’s Heating & Cooling today!

Tags: Generator Maintenance, Generators, Land O Lakes, Trinity, Wesley Chapel, Whole House Generator
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Generator Question: Why Do You Need A Generator?

Monday, September 10th, 2012

Adding a generator can help you prepare for emergencies easily and effectively. Generators are available in various types, but all of them require some sort of fuel to create electricity. They are used for a wide range of purposes, when electricity is needed but unavailable. Here are some other reasons for why you need a generator in Tampa.

Power in an Emergency

Electrical appliances are the most important items that could consume a lot of your emergency resources. Electric heaters, air conditioners, dryers and water heaters are some of the main items that require lots of power, especially when you need to power all of them at the same time. Generators are the best way to power all of the items you need at the same time when your regular power source is not available.

To Manage Unexpected Outages

Storms, hurricanes, lighting and thunder can cause many effects, including power outages. Having a generator can help you manage such situations easily and effectively. Generators can also be used to power some medical equipment at home, so you can keep the patient in your home safe and comfortable no matter how long the power is out.

Generators are available in Compact Size Now

Nowadays, compact generators are available. Unlike traditional generators that take up more space in your home, the compact generators require very limited space. You can place them comfortably wherever needed. They start automatically when the power goes off, and they have fewer components, so they are free from complicated maintenance procedures.

Low Operating Costs

Smaller and more compact generators are highly energy efficient and they need little energy to operate. Hence, they do not cause you to incur higher operating costs. You can use them to power a range of amenities that you use on a daily basis.

Before buying a generator in Tampa, it is advisable to decide how much you can afford to spend. If you do not have any budget limits, you can consider buying a whole house generator that will allow you to lead a normal lifestyle even when there is a power outage. Smaller generators operate automatically and quietly. You can analyze the pros and cons of generator types and choose the one that is more suitable to you. For more information, give Ierna’s Heating & Cooling a call!

Tags: Electrical, Generator, New Port Richey, Oldsmar, Tampa, Wesley Chapel
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